This has just come across the wire. In a daring rescue mission, our Navy went in and saved Captain Phillips and on Easter Sunday of all days:

An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said
.
One of the pirates was wounded and in custody after a swift firefight, the official said.

The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A government official and others in Somali with knowledge of the situation had reported hours earlier that negotiations for Phillips' release had broken down.

The district commissioner of the central Mudug region said talks went on all day Saturday, with clan elders from his area talking by satellite telephone and through a translator with Americans, but collapsed late Saturday night.

"The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, Abdi Aziz Aw Yusuf. He said he organized initial contacts between the elders and the Americans.

Two other Somalis, one involved in the negotiations and another in contact with the pirates, also said the talks collapsed because of the U.S. insistence that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.

Fox News is reporting that Captain Phillips tried to escape once more, and this time, the Navy was prepared to act in response.

Update: Fox is also reporting that the captain is now safely on the USS Bainbridge.

Hurrah! Now: how many of you are going to take back all that dumping on Obama, since he got the man back? I guess you'll be reduced to griping that ol' Ronbo would have done it right away, in person ... Like he bombed Russian after they shot down KAL 007, sent choppers into Iran to at least try to get back our hostages (instead of making secret deals to sell them arms, then lying about it, like Carter did! ... ; -)

FWIW I am not such a hardcore liberal, e.g. I hate the Kelo decision and would oppose the G banning handguns etc. We can agree on plenty, but I don't like dumb angles on conservatism. (Not implying always the case here.)

Phillips is lucky to be alive. How was he not dragged to the bottom of the sea by his enormous brass balls?

He jumped overboard for a second time and the SEALs acted. Before anyone starts beating their meat like it ate off the dinner table over Obama's leadership, he likely had no "ready, set, go" say in the SEAL team's actions. Where Obama chooses caution SEALs choose action.

We can chalk this one up to the personal initiative of Phillps and the SEALs.

What will Obama do now that it's over? Besides take credit or blame Bush, of course.

Most likely Obambi had nothing to do with it this time. Maybe he'll make a statement in the near future claiming his leadership but I wouldn't hold my breath.
The initiative was clearly the Captain's and the Navy's. This time they were ready when he jumped out again...

This was definitely a "get out of the way and let the Seals do what they were trained to do" moment.

We should be incredibly thankful that SoS Clinton and President Obama understood that in this situation the best immediate course of action was to abandon "smart diplomacy" and allow our Navy to do whatever was necessary to ensure the safety of the hostage.

If the Obama Administration has any cojones, the fate of the captured pirate should be swift and final: trial before a military court as an unlawful combatant, followed by execution.

"Hurrah! Now: how many of you are going to take back all that dumping on Obama, since he got the man back?"

Excuse me? Obama didn't do SHIT! Obama didn't get anyone back. Phillips took responsibility for his own safety. After being caught off guard once, the Navy evidently kept divers in the water after the first aborted escape attempt.

Of course if those Somali elders take out their failure on the hostages still held, then I'm sure His Excellency will castigate all involved for their impetuous conduct that ultimately condemned others.

I'm certain that the MSM will once again credit Obama's 'quiet leadership', when all that he did was to get regular briefings and send FBI negotiators to a 'crime scene'. Matthews, Olbermann, Couric, etc will proclaim Obama a military genius, far superior to Montgomery and Eisenhower put together.

The Navy took out the pirates only when they had been given the opportunity by the Captain when he made his second escape attempt.

The questions remain: 1) Will the 4th pirate be arrested and taken to the US for trial, since the Obama Administration considered this to be a criminal matter subject to US law; 2) Will Obama prosecute the Navy SEALS who killed the 3 other pirates without the authority of AG Holder and the FBI (Since the FBI was designated the authority in charge); 3) When will Obama apologise to Ethiopia for the killing of its citizens, and how much in restitution will he offer them?

Baron - "What will Obama do now that it's over? Besides take credit or blame Bush, of course."

hcddbz - "Now lets see where we go from Here."

Well, if barack hussein obama remains true to form, and continues to support the bill he rallied behind as Senator, episodes such as this would have to be "mediated" by a "higher" authority than the U.S., namely a world body, and a UN treaty called the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST).

LOST would be a form of world government with power to decide all matters relating to the two-thirds of the earth's surface covered by the oceans. All disputes arising from man's use of the sea would be heard and decided by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, a 21-member international court that sits in Hamburg, Germany.

There is no appeal from that court, which has the power to disregard or override U.S. laws and even the U.S. Constitution.

Can you believe how many military vessels we had available to devote to a single hostage, not to mention an entire special forces rescue for this one guy who wasn't even in US waters and was working for some giant corporation? Looks like the Secretary of the Navy had better get his books ready for a serious audit and prepare for some fat trimming.

We have no clue what role BHO played in this and in the net 72 hours we will see how the Administrarion handles themselves.

However, 3 pirates died, and the ultra left may demand blood as pirates turn to poor misunderstood kids with no opportunities because of white greed.
Then it will be American Arrogance and our Cowboy mentality. Which will lead to new ROE.

Look, the only credit Obama should get is the fact that he allowed the USS Bainbridge skipper the authority to take action if the hostage was in imminent danger. That's it. Any more credit than that is idol worship. Bush never got any Koppel lovin' for winning in Iraq. Obama kills three pirates and now he is Alexander the Great?? To quote our Democrats, it is still a quagmire there on and off Somalia and we have no exit strategy. Where's Jack Murtha for a quote today about our blood thirsty Seals? Code Pink, where'd you go? Too funny!

hcddbz - "We have no clue what role BHO played in this and in the net 72 hours we will see how the Administrarion handles themselves."

I agree, you don't see me gnashing my teeth about what obama did, or didn't do like some (all knowing nitwits) here are doing.

For my two cents the scenario played out right, whether obama had any input other than ordering warships into the area will probably never be known.

That said, the Navy has had an applicable and stand alone Rules of Engagment (ROE) in effect that covers these type of episodes that date back to pre-Iraq war times when Saddam was smuggling oil via the Shatt al-Arab waterway and down the iranian coastline.

"The initiative" was the Captain, the Navy ..." Ummm, heh - sometimes captives try stuff and sometimes not, the rescuers work with or around it best they can. And that you guys, pretending to be savvy, would even say such silly things about "initiative" of our Naval forces - the CIC gives them their orders on policy, they work out details and take advantage of events as they happen. To talk as if they just went charging in there determined to do something cool even though a wimpy Obama either said nothing or forbade it - do you goofballs realize how silly you look?

And why is it also a "law enforcement issue"? Because the pirates operated at will and aren't agents of a government (albeit ties), especially since there's ambiguity about national sovereignty (e.g., status of "Puntland") and Somalia doesn't even have much of a real government. (Well, I suppose glibertarian cultists would consider Somalia a Randian Galtard wonderland ...)

I am no fan of Obama, but I wish we could leave him out of this. The successful resolution of this particular incident is due likely to the preparedness of our Navy and the bravery of Capt. Phillips. The captain sacrificed himself for the safety of his crew. In captivity the Navy was ready when the captain took the initiative to escape and separated himself from his captors. As far as the president goes if he put his trust in the judgement of those on the scene to wait for an opportunity and take advantage of it, good for him. I love it when the military shows what they can do when given the chance - this rescue, Iraq, you name it. God bless our servicemen and women because I can't think of any other "government funded program" that so consistently exemplifies the can do spirit of our country. For shame on asses like John Murtha and those who elected him.

Real funny, since President Obama gave the Navy permission, not only on Thursday, but also on Friday, to do what the Navy had to do to so the captain would be released, using what ever means the Navy deemed necessary.

Sure sounds like he was in meetings all the time wringing his hands. Get over the ODS.

Think about this. If the CPT hadnt jumped overboard then they would have still been sitting there in the middle of the ocean waiting for Obama to make up his mind.

True, but if the Navy had not been ready to aid the CPT, then his escape attempt would likely have failed as it did the first time. It took both the CPT making an escape attempt and the Seals being ready for it. Publicity and criticism of Obama helped motivated him enough to authorize the use of force.

OK, as soon as barack hussein obama stops spending like a drunken sailor, renounces any support for the Global Poverty Act, the Law of the Sea Treaty, a global currency and that his tax-cheat-in-chief refuses to do and when he specifically states his health care plan WON't include illegal aliens... etc, etc.

(a) you don't run THAT headline unless there was considerable question and obvious DOUBT as to whether The One had ANY positive hand in this
-and-
(b) you don't run that headline unless you are CHEERLEADING for our Dear Leader

Thank God the Captain was rescued. But consider that IF he had been killed, the A/P would have run a headline: "Military overrode Obama's desire for restraint" or some such

"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.

"We cannot know how or whether our friends on the lifeboat died, but this will not stop us from hijacking," he said.

Marc, President Obama could do every thing you wanted him to do and you would still have ODS. You loved to blame people having BDS, well TS, learn to live with it. Typical GOP BS.

And no, I did not vote for him, I wanted McCain/Palin ticket to win. But they didn't. But the GOP shouted real loud about supporting the President in time of war. Well, asshat, the war is still going on. Are you going to support the President? Doesn't sound like it. Works both ways, but you can't handle it.

JC Hammer, our Dear Leader responded to a question about the hostage situation a couple days ago by saying:
"I'd rather talk about the housing situation"

Yes, he was talking to Press about housing...but how hard to say something like: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Captain"...or "I can't discuss that now, but we doing everything we can"
???

but instead he says he'd "rather talk about housing"?????????????

THAT is why he is a disaster as CiC. However, if you believe he IS ready to be CiC now, then the "good news" is that he'll get LOTS of opportunities now. Because every enemy we have is lining up to take a shot!

jc hummer, opps sorry that should read hammer ( I think) - "Well, asshat, the war is still going on. Are you going to support the President? Doesn't sound like it. Works both ways, but you can't handle it."

Really"? Quote anything closely related to my directly, or implying I don't support the war in Iraq of Afghanistan.

"Marc, President Obama could do every thing you wanted him to do and you would still have ODS."

Convenient strawman you have there. Unless you have mental powers way beyond us mortals that can't read minds.

The Obama administration said Friday that it would appeal a district court ruling that granted some military prisoners in Afghanistan the right to file lawsuits seeking their release. The decision signaled that the administration was not backing down in its effort to maintain the power to imprison terrorism suspects for extended periods without judicial oversight.

The captain's family can breathe, finally. And who's responsible? All credit to the SEALS who pulled it off, as well as to Capt.Phillips. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit to the government's public restraint as well.

Can all who jumped on this as an outlet for their Obama derangement syndrome fix admit that it turned out OK after all, and that their paranoid, delusional projection fantasies were premature and misguided? Doubtful.

That said, go ahead and deal with any and all pirates left hanging around the area with all force sufficient to hopefully deter future hijackings.

You can come out of the closet now if you dare to. When you have a President that has a hell of a lot more intelligence than President Bush had, and doesn't do the cowboy act, you get upset.

He has more problems on his mind than any individual. Yes, he could have said something, but he didn't. President Bush/Cheney would have ending up killing the captain with their acts. Just like some of you people wanted President Obama to do. TS, but after 8 years of a President that failed in almost every business he had a hand in, you got used to failure.

Marc, you statements sure sound like you know President Obama's mind. So if I do like you do, you don't like it? TS!

jim: "I'd actually like to hear what you think Obama could have and should have done differently with regards to this specific situation."

Treat it as an act of WAR, instead of as a "crime scene". The bombing of the Twin Towers in 1993 was treated as a "crime scene"...guaranteeing that an ACT OF WAR would someday be perpetrated against the same target!

Obama has kicked the can down the road...but, oops, he is still CiC...and the "can" is still in the road!

Marc, I wasn't talking about intel, to most people with some knowledge, intelligence means brains. And you are showing your lace of intelligence with you ODS.

And since you talk about intel, most people with intelligence knows President Bush didn't believe the intel he received, plus the Dowing Street Memo's prove it. So much ODS, relaxe Marc, your rantings just make you look dumber than dumb.

Umm Yeah. As soon as you guys get over the BDS we might consider looking at the reasons for our behavior. That will be ummm never.

JC hammer - "He has more problems on his mind than any individual."

Actually he has more distractions on his mind than any individual. Just ask the press.

----------

Justrand

JC Hammer, our Dear Leader responded to a question about the hostage situation a couple days ago by saying:
"I'd rather talk about the housing situation"

Well hell what do you expect? I mean he can try saying that is above his paygrade again but he may catch more flak for it this time around than the last. Or he could vote Present when they ask if they have a go to attack the pirates. :)
-----------

Jim

"Obama kept his mouth shut, while he quietly approved the special forces mission that took care of the matter."

We "know" (and I use that term very loosely) because that is what they said after everything was safe and done. What is Obama going to do when you have to make a decision without waiting for it to play out and then claim credit for it. After all we only have Obama's word that that is what happened. You know the same guy that said he wasnt going to raise taxes, pay attention to Habeus corpus, put things on the net for 5 days before signing, not sign any bills with earmarks, didnt bow before the Saudi King, etc etc. In short Obama has proven himself a liar and nothing in this instance proves whether he is telling the truth or not. Given his track record I will play the safe bet and believe he is lying his ass off.

"You all know that if ANYTHING went wrong, you would have been all over Obama for all eternity."

Again. Nice when you have 20 20 hindsight before you step up and take credit for the good stuff. I umm see the left still all over Bush's ass about stuff they percieved he did wrong. STOP WHINING if Obama gets treated the same as you guys treated Bush. You sound like little school girls.

"Since everything went right, it would in fact be fair for you to give him some credit, wouldn't it?"

What for? Waiting to say anything until after the operation is a success. Hell I invented nuclear reactors 50 years before Einstein was born. Prove that I didnt.

"After all, maybe he's a competent leader you just happen to disagree with on some policy issues."

That remains to be seen.

"Since he did manage to resolve this rather thorny situation."

Says you and the adoring press corps. All I see is exactly what I expected. Obama taking credit after the fact and ONLY WHEN THINGS WENT RIGHT.

"I just finished listening to the press conference w/ ADM Gortney about the rescue of Captain Phillips. At the time it happened the USS Bainbridge was towing the lifeboat to calmer waters as the sea state was deteriorating. One of the pirates was on board the Bainbridge as the talks about obtaining Phillip's release continued. The lifeboat was approx. 25 m behind the Bainbridge when snipers on the fantail observed one of the pirates in the pilot house of the lifeboat pointing an AK-47 at the back of a tied up Phillips and the other two pirates on board were visible (at least shoulders and heads). The standing authority gave them clearance to engage the pirates if the life of the captain was in imminent danger. The on scene commander deemed this to be true and gave the order to fire. All three bad guys were taken out and then a rigid inflatable boat went to the lifeboat to retrieve Phillips. Iti is unknown at this point whether the shooters were SEALs or Marine Scout Snipers as both would have been available. This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage.

The AP is reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage, that is misleading.
"

"The officials say Obama ordered the Defense Department to use military resources to rescue Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast. " (considering you have military ships on the scene well umm DUH to the press).

He did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already would have had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement.

(so Obama did nothing special if in fact he did that since we dont know as he never took credit until after a succesful conclusion. A cowards act at best IMO)

""I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer," Obama said in a White House statement. "His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.

"I am also very proud of the efforts of the US military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips' safe recovery," he said. "I share the country's admiration for the bravery of captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans."

So, since you have said something about our current commander in chief which was actually incorrect, I expect you'll correct that. Right?

"OK then. So you have no evidence Obama doesn't deserve credit, and evidence that he does, but you still want to withhold giving Obama credit.
Your privilege, but let's just be clear that's exactly what you're doing
"

Exactly what you would have done ref Bush.
And BTW facts support my side of the story.

"You are make this false equivalence that because some criticized Bush with *facts*, they are wrong to call others out for criticizing Obama *wihtout* facts."

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA Here let me rewrite that for you to make it a factual statement.

You are make this false equivalence that because some criticized Obama with *facts*, they are wrong to call others out for criticizing Bush *wihtout* facts.

There that is much better and a lot more true.

"Criticize Obama as much as you want. It's a free country, and it will benefit from your criticism of Obama. But you should at least be able to provide facts.

"

Facts.

Obama is a liar

As I have laid out above.

Here I will repeat myself.

". After all we only have Obama's word that that is what happened. You know the same guy that said he wasnt going to raise taxes, pay attention to Habeus corpus, put things on the net for 5 days before signing, not sign any bills with earmarks, didnt bow before the Saudi King, etc etc"

I mean Obama is lying about bowing to the Saudi king when it is right there on video tape. You dont think he wouldnt lie about this.

Go back to grade school and try to come up with a more convincing argument.

I never saw nor heard so much credit to any president in the past. It blows me away how many times Barack's name is attached to this resuce.
Bush approved rescue missions that were successful too, but I never heard one work about "BUSH" doing it.

I think the fact that we are hearing Barack's name so much, proves the lack of faith that so many Americans have in him regarding these matters.
NOTE: What was Baracks alternatives :-)
a) Not to approve a rescue attemt? DUH!
b) Approve a resuce attempt (the only humane thing to do)?

Even if the attempt failed he would have been better off than not approving an attempt.

As some others have said. Lets see what the future has to say about Barack. He said he is withdrawing the troups regardless of the rise in violence. Will he follow through?

The only thing I can say good about Barack is that his lies (going back on his word), has been for the better. If he would be more consistant with abandoning his plans for America, we would have a great president who we can trust won't do what he says. We could even trust his lies :-)

Well, retired military - perhaps you think that choosing a dog is more important than bringing US citizens to safety, and showing the world that pirates cannot hold our citizens hostage and get away with it.

As I said it is the one thing recently that Obama has been qualified for.

" I am referring to facts showing that Obama acted in some way improper regarding this piracy, and the way it was dealt with.
"

High standards for someone who abstained from voting until after the vote was closed and then said "I was for it"

Look at the caption contest picture again and remember. According to the White House IT WAS NOT A BOW.

Facts

Obama didnt say until it after it was over.
Obama is a liar.
The newspapers are in the tank for OBama so if he said the sky is orange on a clear sky they will report strange orangish atmospheric phenomeah (as shown by the bow)
Per the briefing the Admiral gave the SOP was to take action if the hostage's life looked to be in danger.
THIS White House isnt going to do anything on its own until it is absolutely SURE they wont get blamed for it. example quote above from newspaper.
""To that end, White House officials said the Justice Department is looking at evidence and considering whether to file criminal charges against a Somali pirate captured during the standoff"

Gee they are looking at evidence and considering to file criminal charges.

Gee Jim do you have a like hose to breath out of with your head so far up Obama's ass.

It is appropriate that yesterday was Easter. Your god has risen. Obama can do no wrong and is perfect in your eyes. No matter his blatant lies, lack of experience, and inability to articulate a single decision until after the outcome has not only been deteremined but played out.

If Obama said "the sun will rise today" and made that prouncement at 4 pm than you would take it as further evidence that Obama is just so smart, so competent, so good that even the sun listens to him.

Looks like the reach out and touch plan, did work in the enclosed life boat. Don't know if they were SEALS or Marines the Navy has always placed special emphasis on sharp shooters.
Which is why I had all faith in the operators ability to carry this off.

* The Americans are safe
* Some of the pirates got away, some were captured ("in the water" back last week), some are dead, one is waiting to see what happens
* Once SEALs got involved, bad guys got killed and problems got solved
* Obama and the White House had no specific statements of position prior to the resolution

So President Obama gets neither credit nor blame for this particular situation. The test ahead is the piracy issue itself - will he now direct US forces to wipe out the area's pirates as the sole power with the realisitic ability to do so? Or, since the Alabama was the only US-flagged freighter to be the target of pirates so far, will he weasel out and leave ships of other nations to face this crisis on their own?

Having Captain Phillips rescued was such a wonderful Easter gift!! Our house rejoiced. Lots of prayers have gone up for him and his family the past few days.

As I write this, O has already taken credit for what happened, as I figured he would, egomaniac that he is. However, I salute our Navy Seals! That's how it's done! Of course, it could have been over much earlier if O wasn't busy coloring Easter eggs.

My invisible friend and tattletale, Gazoo, informs me that the Wizbang natives were hoping for ignominious failure on behalf of US interests, up to and including the death of the captain, so as to invoke the anger and frustration of the American people against Obamalamamumba, The Emperor Jones.

I answered back, "Well, d'uh!...No dough."

Then he said, "What if I told you that President Sidney Poitier will run fire missions over Somalia on Tea Party Day?"

OK, well, look. It feels like I've fallen into bickering here. We can be well apart on the partisan divide, and that's fine.

The important thing is that the good guys won, and the innocent are saved and at home with their families.

And as a side note and a peace offering, it would sadden me but not surprise me if Obama does turn out, in the final analysis, to have been lying about any number of things. I have low expectations of all seeking political office, whether or not I agree with their espoused ideology.

Politicians are car salesmen. That doesn't necessarily mean they're always trying to rip you off; but they all will always tell you what they think you want to here. That's why you always have to check the sticker price and do your research. From FDR to Reagan.

Hello! The oddest thing is this president did not get any bad rap from the media for doing what's right---"Ordering to Shoot!" It was reported the victims were all in their late teens. THEY were all TEENAGERS!!! HUH!!! And we're not hearing any outcries from this mainline media such as CNN or MSNBC? I'm pretty sure, if this crises happened under Fmr. PRES. BUSH, the nation will hear of it. CHILD MURDERER! But not Obama. HYPOCRITES!!!